Its the Christmas holiday photography season again! Time for more blurry photos of unsmiling kids sitting in Santa's lap, right? Wrong! Your Santa photos will not be disasters this year! There really are some super easy ways to help ensure you capture a great Christmas memory of your child and Santa Claus.
More Photography Quick Tips
- Child Preparation Tips
- Don't go see Santa anywhere near naptime
- Feed the child right before you go see Santa
- Pick a time when there is not a long line
- If the child has not seen Santa before, make sure you take the child to see Santa and be introduced two or three times before photo day.
- Photo Tips
- Do NOT Use Portrait Mode
Portrait mode creates a very shallow depth of field and uses a low film sensitivity. This means that you run a real chance of having a blurry photo.
- Use Action Mode
Action mode uses a fast shutter speed and continually adjusts focus as your subjects move. This will increase your chances of a sharply focused photograph.
- Consider Using Fill Flash
Fill flash can greatly improve the lighting of Santa and your child.
- Leave Extra Room in the Frame
Because your child may make sudden movements it is best to leave some extra room around Santa and your child when framing the image. It is better to crop your photo later than to miss an amazing shot because you were zoomed in too closely.
- Expression is Everything
Your child's expression is the most important piece of a photo with Santa. Your child's face should always be your focus point and exposure metering point.
- Be Ready BEFORE the Child Gets to Santa
Some of the greatest Santa photos you will ever take will happen before the child is actually in Santa's lap. This is when a lot of real emotion, not posed for the camera, takes place. Some children will bashfully approach Santa and others will literally leap up to hug Santa. Be ready!
